Who Is Most at Risk for Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves the unauthorized use of an individual’s personal information for fraudulent financial gain. Recent data indicates a rise in identity theft cases, with over 748,000 incidents reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the first half of 2025 alone, marking a substantial increase from the previous year. While anyone can become a victim, certain factors and circumstances can elevate an individual’s susceptibility to this pervasive threat.

Demographics and Age Vulnerabilities

Specific age groups exhibit distinct vulnerabilities to identity theft. Children, for instance, are particularly attractive targets for fraudsters because they typically have clean credit histories. Their personal information, especially Social Security numbers, can be used for years to open fraudulent credit accounts, secure loans, or even file false tax returns, often going undetected until the child reaches adulthood.

Seniors also face heightened risks, appealing to scammers. They may possess accumulated financial savings, own homes, and often have established good credit, all of which are attractive to criminals. Additionally, some seniors tend to be more trusting of callers or emails, and may be less familiar with evolving digital threats and online security practices. Scammers frequently target older adults with specific schemes, such as tech support scams, Medicare fraud, or imposter scams where they impersonate government agencies or even grandchildren.

Online Behavior and Digital Footprint

An individual’s digital habits and online presence significantly influence their exposure to identity theft. Weak online security practices, such as using easily guessable or reused passwords across multiple accounts, allow unauthorized access. Failing to enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts, when available, leaves them susceptible even if a password is compromised. Regularly ignoring security updates for devices and software also means missing patches for vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit.

Oversharing personal information on social media can provide fraudsters with details needed to answer security questions or craft phishing attempts. Information like birthdates, pet names, family details, or vacation plans can be pieced together by criminals to gain access to accounts or impersonate the individual. The casual sharing of such data makes social engineering attacks more effective.

Using unsecured public Wi-Fi networks for sensitive activities, such as online banking or shopping, poses a risk. These networks often lack encryption, making it easier for cybercriminals to intercept data, including login credentials and financial information. Avoiding sensitive transactions on public networks is important.

Susceptibility to phishing and smishing scams contributes to identity compromise. Phishing involves deceptive emails to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or divulging personal information, often by impersonating trusted entities like banks or government agencies. Smishing operates similarly but uses text messages to deliver fraudulent links or requests for personal data. These scams aim to collect sensitive details, leading to account takeover or financial loss.

A lack of diligent monitoring of online accounts, credit reports, and financial statements can allow fraudulent activity to go unnoticed. Regularly reviewing bank statements and credit card activity helps detect unauthorized transactions. Individuals can obtain a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—annually to check for suspicious accounts or inquiries. Placing fraud alerts or credit freezes on credit files can also restrict unauthorized access to credit.

Life Circumstances and Targeted Groups

Individuals whose personal data has been exposed in a data breach face a higher risk, as their information is already with criminals. This compromised data can lead to fraudulent activities such as opening new credit accounts, filing false tax returns, or making unauthorized purchases. Receiving a data breach notification should prompt immediate action, including monitoring accounts and considering credit freezes.

Major life changes can create vulnerabilities. Moving frequently without properly managing mail forwarding can result in sensitive documents falling into the wrong hands. Events like divorce may expose shared financial information to a former spouse who could misuse it. The death of a spouse can leave surviving family members vulnerable to scams or the exposure of personal data during administrative processes. Job loss can lead individuals to share more personal information when seeking new employment, increasing their exposure to scams.

Military personnel are frequently targeted due to their unique lifestyle and the nature of their service. Frequent relocations mean regularly updating personal information with various entities, increasing opportunities for data interception. Deployments can make it difficult for service members to monitor their financial accounts and credit reports, allowing fraud to go undetected. Additionally, military members often handle sensitive documents, and their specific benefits, such as GI Bill or VA loans, are attractive to fraudsters.

Individuals experiencing homelessness or incarceration are at an elevated risk. Homeless individuals may lack stable addresses, making it difficult to receive mail or monitor financial accounts, and they may be more susceptible to scams. Incarcerated individuals often have limited access to the outside world, including internet, mail, and phones, hindering their ability to monitor credit reports or detect fraudulent activity. Their limited credit histories can make them attractive targets for identity thieves. Personal information of incarcerated individuals may also be accessible to others, leading to misuse.